SynthesisBMJ open2023
Prevalence of self-medication in Ghana: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The nature of self-medication in Uganda: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC public health · 2025Pooled it
- Challenges and coping experiences in caring for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in central region, Ghana.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Common Bacterial Pathogens to Antibiotics in Northern Ghana.Journal of clinical laboratory analysis · 2026Article
- Lived experiences and perceptions of social support in diabetes self-management among patients, families, and friends in Ethiopia.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Prevalence and Determinants of Self‑Medication Among Adult Outpatients in a Rural Health Facility in Northern Uganda: A Cross‑Sectional Study.Patient preference and adherence · 2026Article
- Home Treatment of Childhood Illnesses Prior to Seeking Formal Care: A Cross-Sectional Study at Different Health Care Levels in Ghana.Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH · 2025Article
- Self-Medication with NSAIDs in Gondar city: prevalence, predictors, and public health implications.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Assessing Preparedness for Nutritional Emergencies in Rural and Urban Healthcare Facilities: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study.Health science reports · 2025Article
- Self-medication among university students in Guangdong province, China: a cross-sectional study using the KAP model.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Determinants of Benzodiazepine-Dispensing Practice Among Community Pharmacy Dispensers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences · 2025Article
- Assessing the prevalence of unused medicines at home and associated factors: a community-based cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Self-Medication of Medical Students at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University in Turkey: A Cross-Sectional Study.Cureus · 2024Article
- Prevalence of self-medication among university students diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders.Journal of oral & facial pain and headache · 2024Article
- Self-Medication Practices in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical AssociationArticle
- Prevalence and patterns of self-medication practices in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Medical journal, Armed Forces IndiaReview
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThis study estimates the prevalence of self-medication and provides an understanding of the reasons for self-medication in Ghana through the synthesis of relevant literature.
methodsA comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct and African Journals Online to identify observational studies published from inception to March 2022. Google scholar and institutional websites were searched for grey literature. We included studies reporting primary data on the prevalence and/or reasons for self-medication in Ghana. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the prevalence of self-medication. Subgroup analysis was performed with the study population (pregnant women, patients and students), geopolitical zone (coastal, middle and northern) and study setting (rural and urban). Using inductive thematic analysis, reasons for self-medication were classified and tallied under key themes.
resultsThirty studies involving 9271 participants were included in this review. The pooled prevalence of self-medication in Ghana was 53.7% (95% CI 46.2% to 61.0%; I²=98.51%, p<0.001). Prevalence of self-medication was highest among pregnant women (65.5%; 95% CI 58.1% to 72.5%; I
conclusionThis study has revealed that self-medication is still an unresolved public health challenge in Ghana, with a high prevalence estimate. Self-medication is influenced by inconveniences associated with accessing healthcare coupled with poor health seeking behaviours. There is the need for improved access to quality healthcare and the promotion of appropriate health-seeking behaviours.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.